Something to lift logs to cut into fire wood

skeets

Well-known member

Equipment
BX 2360 /B2601
Oct 2, 2009
14,551
3,299
113
SW Pa
OK that didnt come out right, but here is my thought. Yes I use the grapple for lifting logs to cut and that works Ok. However I was thinking , and that is always dangerous , Something for the 3point, something I could roll the log onto, secure it on the tractor end and lift the 3 point, thus I could cut the whole log to size. Think how a hay bale spear looks, that would the the log instead of a steel rod. Im sorry if I am saying it so it cannot be understood. But I dont weld and dont know how to draw it on here so I am at a double loss.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

Henro

Well-known member

Equipment
B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex., Beer fridge
May 24, 2019
5,781
2,965
113
North of Pittsburgh PA
When I first read your post, I thought from what you described, you were saying that action was dangerous.

But on the second read, I see that what you were saying was that it’s actually the thinking that is dangerous!

Probably true!

Solution might be to stop thinking! Just advice from a western PA brother! 🤣

Where’s Hagrid when you need him???
 
  • Haha
Reactions: 1 user

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,400
4,899
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
3PH forklift will work.
grab a log
add a strap to secure log on forks
raise to comfortable height
cut left end, right end, repeat until at forks
cut down the middle
try NOT to cut the strap though !

did this with my forklift a lot...
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users

D.jFarm78

Member

Equipment
L2250 FEL& L4610FEl, BH, Grapple, Mower, Gannon , blade, disc, plow, rototiller,
Mar 20, 2020
30
9
8
Young, Az USA
I use the BH with a thumb
Seams t o work good for me
Prior to that it was as said by others forks and a strap
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

William1

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX25D
Jul 28, 2015
1,117
309
83
Richmond, Virginia
I use logger tongs, though I have a BH with a hook. It lets me lift logs with minimal tractor positioning and grabbing the log with tongs could not be easier.
 

JimmyJazz

Well-known member

Equipment
B2601
Aug 8, 2020
1,219
738
113
Pittsburgh, Pa
I have cut a lot of trees into firewood over that last few years with not having any previous experience.I just cut them where they fall. If you keep the chain out of the dirt it works great. I have forks for my Kubota but for the most part with the time spent fiddling with positioning it I find I am better off just attacking the log on the ground. Good luck. Be safe.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users

chim

Well-known member

Equipment
L4240HSTC with FEL, Ford 1210
Jan 19, 2013
2,114
1,227
113
Near Lancaster, PA, USA
Think I understand, but don't know how much of a log you can hang without lifting the front end of the tractor.
 

SAR Tracker

Well-known member

Equipment
LX2610HSDC, FEL, LX2963 Snowblower, BH77 Backhoe, forks
Nov 17, 2020
218
310
63
Central Oregon
Forks would work, keeping the blades relatively close together.
Backhoe with a standard bucket and a thumb would work better.
Backhoe with a mechanical thumb and a BXPanded ripper tooth is what I currently use - works OUTSTANDING!
 

FTG-05

Active member

Equipment
L4330 w/FEL, RTV-XG850 and ZD326S
Jul 21, 2013
282
115
43
TN
Why not just use the grapple?







 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

skeets

Well-known member

Equipment
BX 2360 /B2601
Oct 2, 2009
14,551
3,299
113
SW Pa
Why not just use the grapple?







I'll tell you why,,,,, cause I never thought of doing it that way with the grapple ! Picking them up and cutting yep but then you have a 5 foot hunk that has be cut with out hitting the grapple . I am going to try this and see how many tines I bend up,,, thanks for all the ideas!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

D2Cat

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
13,814
5,553
113
40 miles south of Kansas City
Skeets, you have to think outside the box. Use propane! Much easier on your body, heat easier to regulate.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Gaspasser

Active member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L6060, FEL, forks, front snowblower. KX033 mini ex. Dump truck, Husqvarna saws.
Dec 16, 2023
175
226
43
NH
You can build a bucking deck. Plenty of ideas on YouTube. Basically an elevated "table" with only joists" and no flat surface. Think patio deck with no deck boards. Chainsaw cuts into log between spaces in joists. I'm building one now. BH bucket with thumb works great. I am spoiled as I have a mini ex. I use for this. JimmyJazz bucks up on the ground but I find it fatiguing and hard on my knees and back. Plus one hit in dirt or a rock and have to sharpen/change chain. Also, saw binding is an issue. When elevated, there is no binding. Another discovery I made recently.... get a more powerful saw. I got a 90 cc Husqvarna with 24 inch bar. Faster cutting and longer lasting chain saves time and my back. Yes, more expensive but more than makes up for in efficiency. Please let us know how you make out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

Runs With Scissors

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,417
2,782
113
Michigan
Forks would work, keeping the blades relatively close together.
Backhoe with a standard bucket and a thumb would work better.
Backhoe with a mechanical thumb and a BXPanded ripper tooth is what I currently use - works OUTSTANDING!
I just used #3 as well.

I found using the bucket works, however to get 16 inch cuts, you have to be a little lucky grabbing in the right spot, and cut too close to the bucket.

Using the the ripper tooth and thumb gives you a lot more room to work with and a better chance of getting 16' cuts. (y)
 

Gaspasser

Active member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L6060, FEL, forks, front snowblower. KX033 mini ex. Dump truck, Husqvarna saws.
Dec 16, 2023
175
226
43
NH
I just used #3 as well.

I found using the bucket works, however to get 16 inch cuts, you have to be a little lucky grabbing in the right spot, and cut too close to the bucket.

Using the the ripper tooth and thumb gives you a lot more room to work with and a better chance of getting 16' cuts. (y)
Great idea. With the ripper being thin, plenty of room to cut around instead of bucket. You are a genius sir!! I chalk mark my cuts so it us easier to pick up in a convenient spot for cutting.
 

GeoHorn

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
M4700DT, LA1002FEL, Ferguson5-8B Compactor-Roller, 10KDumpTrailer, RTV-X900
May 18, 2018
6,040
3,316
113
Texas
I used Pallet Forks to lift the trunk off the ground…cut it with an electric chainsaw powered by a portable generator….

Of course, …Then you need to GET ANOTHER ORANGE THING….to haul the firewood home…..
IMG_1592.jpeg
IMG_1594.jpeg
IMG_1593.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

mikester

Well-known member

Equipment
M59 TLB
Oct 21, 2017
3,545
2,001
113
Canada
www.divergentstuff.ca
I've used my grapple and BH thumb. If you are impatient like I am and try cutting up close to the grapple you will also need new chainsaw chains after you accidentally knick the grapple with the saw. Grapple always comes out better off than the saw chain.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users

skeets

Well-known member

Equipment
BX 2360 /B2601
Oct 2, 2009
14,551
3,299
113
SW Pa
Good ideas all, Im just trying to keep from bending over as much,, this old body dont bend as well as it once did :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users